year of truck or year of engine

[djtlaz]

Just a quick question for you all that know. I have a 1971 chevy k10 but it has a 1995 5.7 350 chevy vortec block. When I buy parts for the truck specifically the engine. Should I buy them for the year of the truck or the type of engine I have in there. Does it really matter, they both are generation 1 motors.

[Palf70Step]

Much of the stuff is the same. Depends on what your buying. If you are buying parts for the engine be specific to it. BTW, VORTEC's first year in the 350 was 96, so I'm told.

[djtlaz]

This is the engine I have per mortec.com
10243880...350...95-00...2 or 4...Vortec truck, Gen.I crate motors and "ZZ4", roller cam, one piece rear seal. But thanks for the help I'll buy for the specific motor I have.

[4tiresngas]

I have a similar situation. My engine is an 88-95 350. I buy parts for an 88. My rotors and brakes are disc...I buy for a 73. It's all good as long as you know what is what. What sucks is when you buy someone else's project and have to start figuring out which tierods and etc you have...don't ask me how I know.

[krue]

You gotta buy for what it is. Engine parts get the 95 stuff.

[mrein3]

Boy would I be screwed if I had to pick one.
My chassis is 1971 (K10).
My cab and bed are 1970 (C10).
My engine is a 350 out of a 1971 Monte Carlo but is now a 383.
My transmission and transfer case are out of a 1972 Blazer.
Seat was a 1968 golden anniversary seat. I had a custom cover made for it.
The interior door panels match the seat so they are 68.
The grill is off a 1969.
The hood is a 1969 or 1970 out of da-burbs barn.
I modified the firewall to make the non-AC cab accept the AC heater core and AC evaporator.

It really helps to know what you got when you walk up to the counter.

For chassis stuff I tell the smart young man behind the counter it is a 1971 4x4. For engine stuff I say it is a 1972 350 with air.

One time I went in to buy a relay for my headlights. I did the mod a few years ago but stupidly put the relay block under a spot where water dripped under the hood along the RF fender. I was looking in the bubble packs to replace the dead relay and buy a spare for the next time that happened. The smart young man behind the counter says whats it for?
I had time to kill so I played along.
After the normal 20 questions. Year. Make. Model. Engine. Auto. Air. He finally stops clicking and says I have no relays on my truck. (Of course we all know there are numerous relays installed by the factory but I didn't start down that path)
By then I found my bubble pack relay and was ready to be on my way.

[pebbleboy]

Originally Posted by 4tiresngas

What sucks is when you buy someone else's project and have to start figuring out which tierods and etc you have...don't ask me how I know.

Yeah i always have that problem